Electrical connector



ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed April 4, 194a c. L. BASHAM 2,452,4

Patented Oct. 26, 1948 UNITED STATES ATENT 1 Claim.

My present invention relates to an improved electrical connector andmore particularly to the quick detachable connector having two elements,one of which is suited for insertion into the standard light socket,while the other unit is fashioned for co-action with the first unit andmay be quickly and easily detached and attached without the usualcontinued rotary movement.

In the accompanyin drawings I have illustrated one complete example ofthe physical embodiment of my invention according to the best mode Ihave thus far devised but it will be understood that various changes andalterations may be made in the exemplified structure without departingfrom the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a device constructed inaccordance with the invention, and showing connected male and femaleunits.

Figure 2 is a vertical section through the female unit.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken at line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the male unit.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1, 2, and 3relating to the female unit, I have shown a hollow casing l of metaltapered interiorly and having exterior threads 2. This casing and itsthreads are designed for insertion into a light socket or outlet and formore or less permanent placement. The casing need not be removed unlessreplacement is necessary. The casing is provided with a head 3 and acontact 4 adapted to engage the co-acting contact with the usual outletsocket, and the contact is fashioned with an interior spring 5.

An insulatin ring 6 is provided on th lower portion of the casing andalso formed in the lower portion of the casing are diametrically opposednotches i into which are placed springs 8 having points 9 extending intothe hollow interior of the casing.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings I have shown the male unitcomprising a casing I tapered to lit in close relation with the casing Iand formed of conducting material as metal. The casing is provided witha lower annular ring H and exterior short grooves l2. The hollow casingI0 is filled with insulating material I3 and the contact l4 adapted forengagement with the spring contact '5 is provided with wire l extendindownwardly through the insulating material l3 to the lower contact l6.

Connector I! on the contact [6, and connector [8 on the casing providecontact for the wire 20.

A cover of rubber or other flexible insulatin material as 19 isfashioned with an interior groove 2| for engagement with the annularring II.

In operation the female unit is threaded into the light socket oroutlet, and the male unit is then inserted into the female unit, thetapered units forming a close fit therebetween. A quarter turn in eitherdirection at the most, will permit the points 9 of the springs 8 to snapinto the grooves l2 and the two units will thus be held in properrelation.

To release the male unit, the unit is turned either clockwise orcounterclockwise until the points ride out of the grooves i2 whereuponthe male unit may be slid out of the female unit.

Havin thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

An electrical connector including interlocking male and female units,the female unit comprising a hollow casing of electrically conductivematerial exteriorly formed, substantially throughout its length, fordetachable engagement in an outlet receptacle, the inner surface of thecasing being tapered, a head of insulating material permanentlyconnect-ed to one end of the casing, a spring contact within the headand extending from opposite ends thereof, and opposed V-shaped springsin the casing having their parts normally projecting into the hollowinterior thereof, the male unit comprising a hollow casing of conductivematerial tapered exteriorly for insertion in the female unit, insulatingmaterial filling the interior of the casing of the male unit, and aconductor within the insulating material and extending from end to endthereof, said conductor being engageable with the spring contact of thefemale unit, there being short opposed grooves formed in and extendingcircumferentially of the casing of the male unit in which the'V-shapedsprings are engageable, whereby to lock the male to the female unit byrelative rotation of said units.

CECIL L. BASHAM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,058,032 Campbell Apr. 8, 19131,141,121 Klein June 1, 1915 1,996,410 Edwards Apr. 2, 1935 2,002,558Von Holtz May 28, 1935 2,054,465 Ouellet Sept. 15, 1936

